Image decoding apparatus and image coding apparatus

ABSTRACT

Delay based on WPP processing is reduced. An image decoding apparatus ( 31 ) includes: a prediction image generation unit ( 308 ) by using decoded data from a first position to a second position, the first position being, in a CTU row immediately above a CTU row including a target CTU, identical to a position of the target CTU, the second position being a position one CTU forward relative to the first position; and an entropy decoding unit ( 301 ) that performs decoding of the target CTU by using the decoded data from the first position to the second position, the first position being, in the CTU row immediately above the CTU row including the target CTU, identical to the position of the target CTU, the second position being a position one CTU forward relative to the first position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an image decodingapparatus and an image coding apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

A video coding apparatus which generates coded data by coding a video,and a video decoding apparatus which generates decoded images bydecoding the coded data are used for efficient transmission or recordingof videos.

For example, specific video coding schemes include schemes proposed inH.264/AVC and High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), and the like.

In such a video coding scheme, images (pictures) constituting a videoare managed in a hierarchical structure including slices obtained bysplitting an image, Coding Tree Units (CTUs) obtained by splitting aslice, units of coding (Coding Units; which will be referred to as CUs)obtained by splitting a coding tree unit, prediction units (PUs) whichare blocks obtained by splitting a coding unit, and transform units(TUs), and are coded/decoded for each CU.

In such a video coding scheme, usually, a prediction image is generatedbased on a local decoded image that is obtained by coding/decoding aninput image (a source image), and prediction residual components (whichmay be referred to also as “difference images” or “residual images”)obtained by subtracting the prediction image from the input image arecoded. Generation methods of prediction images include an inter-pictureprediction (an inter prediction) and an intra-picture prediction (intraprediction).

In addition, NPL 1 is exemplified as a recent technique for video codingand decoding.

Further, HEVC described above includes processing referred to asWavefront Parallel Processing (WPP), whereby coding and decodingprocessing of each CTU row is performed with each of the codingprocessing and the decoding processing being shifted by two CTUs.

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

-   NPL 1: “Algorithm Description of Joint Exploration Test Model 5”,    JVET-E1001, Joint Video-Exploration Team (JVET) of ITU-T SG 16 WP 3    and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29/WG 11, 12-20 Jan. 2017

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

In WPP described above, the coding and decoding processing is performedwith each CTU row being sequentially shifted by two CTUs. Thus, there isa problem that the processing is further delayed as the number of CTUrows is further increased. In addition, there is also a problem that adelay amount is further increased as the CTU size is further increased.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the problems described above, an image decodingapparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an imagedecoding apparatus for dividing a picture into multiple CTU rows anddecoding each of the multiple CTU rows sequentially from top. The imagedecoding apparatus includes: a prediction image generation unitconfigured to generate, in a case of generating a prediction image, aprediction image of a target CTU by using decoded data of CTUs from afirst position to a second position, the first position being, in a CTUrow (second CTU row) immediately above a first CTU row including thetarget CTU, identical to a position of the target CTU, the secondposition being a position a prescribed fixed number of CTUs forwardrelative to the first position; and a decoder configured to decode thetarget CTU by using information of the CTUs from the first position tothe second position, the first position being, in the second CTU row,identical to the position of the target CTU, the second position beingthe position the prescribed fixed number of the CTUs forward relative tothe first position.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an effect that delaybased on WPP processing can be reduced is exerted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of data of acoding stream according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imagecoding apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an imagedecoding apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 4 (a) to (c) are diagrams for describing an overview of WPP.

FIGS. 5 (a) to (c) are diagrams for describing problems of WPP.

FIGS. 6 (a) and (b) are each a diagram for describing a range availablefor intra prediction according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing available positions of a CABAC statein processing according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 8 (a) to (c) are each a diagram illustrating a processing exampleaccording to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 9 (a) and (b) are each a diagram for describing a processingexample according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a previous diagram for describing scan order in a CTUaccording to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a syntax example of block split according to HEVC.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a syntax example of block splitaccording to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a syntax example of binary tree split.

FIGS. 14 (a) and (b) are each a diagram for describing processing ofdetermining a position of a CTU to be referred to, based on the width ofthe CTU.

FIGS. 15 (a) and (b) are each a diagram for describing processing ofdetermining a position of a CTU to be referred to, based on whether ornot the CTU has a shape vertically long.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing processing of initializing a targetpicture by using a state of CABAC in a decoded picture.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing processing of initializing a targetpicture by using a state of CABAC in a decoded picture according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating configurations of a transmittingapparatus equipped with the image coding apparatus and a receivingapparatus equipped with the image decoding apparatus according to thepresent embodiment. (a) thereof illustrates the transmitting apparatusequipped with the image coding apparatus, and (b) thereof illustratesthe receiving apparatus equipped with the image decoding apparatus.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating configurations of a recordingapparatus equipped with the image coding apparatus and a reconstructionapparatus equipped with the image decoding apparatus according to thepresent embodiment. (a) thereof illustrates the recording apparatusequipped with the image coding apparatus, and (b) thereof illustratesthe reconstruction apparatus equipped with the image decoding apparatus.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an imagetransmission system according to the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an imagetransmission system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The image transmission system 1 is a system in which codes of a codingtarget image are transmitted, the transmitted codes are decoded, andthus an image is displayed. The image transmission system 1 includes animage coding apparatus (video coding apparatus) 11, a network 21, animage decoding apparatus (video decoding apparatus) 31, and an imagedisplay apparatus 41.

An image T indicating an image of a single layer or multiple layers isinput to the image coding apparatus 11. A layer is a concept used todistinguish multiple pictures in a case that there are one or morepictures constituting a certain time. For example, coding identicalpictures in multiple layers having different image qualities andresolutions is scalable coding, and coding pictures having differentviewpoints in multiple layers is view scalable coding. In a case that aprediction (an inter-layer prediction, an inter-view prediction) betweenpictures in multiple layers is performed, coding efficiency greatlyimproves. In addition, in a case that a prediction is not performed(simulcast), coded data can be compiled.

The network 21 transmits a coding stream Te generated by the imagecoding apparatus 11 to the image decoding apparatus 31. The network 21is the internet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN),or a combination thereof. The network 21 is not necessarily limited to abidirectional communication network, and may be a unidirectionalcommunication network configured to transmit broadcast waves of digitalterrestrial television broadcasting, satellite broadcasting of the like.The network 21 may be substituted by a storage medium in which thecoding stream Te is recorded, such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) ora Blue-ray Disc (BD).

The image decoding apparatus 31 decodes each of the coding streams Tetransmitted from the network 21 and generates one or each of multipledecoded images Td.

The image display apparatus 41 displays all or part of the one ormultiple decoded images Td generated by the image decoding apparatus 31.For example, the image display apparatus 41 includes a display devicesuch as a liquid crystal display and an organic Electro-luminescence(EL) display. In addition, in spatial scalable coding and SNR scalablecoding, in a case that the image decoding apparatus 31 and the imagedisplay apparatus 41 have a high processing capability, an enhancedlayer image having high image quality is displayed, and in a case thatthe apparatuses have a lower processing capability, a base layer imagewhich does not require as high a processing capability and displaycapability as an enhanced layer is displayed.

Operator

Operators used in the present specification will be described below.

>> is a right bit shift, << is a left bit shift, & is a bitwise AND, |is a bitwise OR, and |= is an OR assignment operator.

x?y:z is a ternary operator to take y in a case that x is true (otherthan 0) and take z in a case that x is false (0).

Clip3 (a, b, c) is a function to clip c in a value equal to or greaterthan a and less than or equal to b, and a function to return a in a casethat c is less than a (c<a), return b in a case that c is greater than b(c>b), and return c in other cases (provided that a is less than orequal to b (a<=b)).

Structure of Coding Stream Te

Prior to the detailed description of the image coding apparatus 11 andthe image decoding apparatus 31 according to the present embodiment, adata structure of the coding stream Te generated by the image codingapparatus 11 and decoded by the image decoding apparatus 31 will bedescribed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of data of thecoding stream Te. The coding stream Te includes a sequence and multiplepictures constituting the sequence illustratively. (a) to (f) of FIG. 1are diagrams illustrating a coding video sequence defining a sequenceSEQ, a coding picture prescribing a picture PICT, a coding sliceprescribing a slice S, a coding slice data prescribing slice data, acoding tree unit included in the coding slice data, and a Coding Unit(CU) included in each coding tree unit, respectively.

Coding Video Sequence

In the coding video sequence, a set of data referred to by the imagedecoding apparatus 31 to decode the sequence SEQ to be processed isdefined. As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 1, the sequence SEQ includes aVideo Parameter Set, a Sequence Parameter Set SPS, a Picture ParameterSet PPS, a picture PICT, and Supplemental Enhancement Information SEI.Here, a value indicated after #indicates a layer ID. Although an examplein which there is coded data of #0 and #1, that is, layer 0 and layer 1,is illustrated in FIG. 1, types of layers and the number of layers arenot limited thereto.

In the video parameter set VPS, in a video including multiple layers, aset of coding parameters common to multiple videos and a set of codingparameters associated with the multiple layers and an individual layerincluded in the video are defined.

In the sequence parameter set SPS, a set of coding parameters referredto by the image decoding apparatus 31 to decode a target sequence isdefined. For example, a width and a height of a picture are defined.Note that multiple SPSs may exist. In that case, any of multiple SPSs isselected from the PPS.

In the picture parameter set PPS, a set of coding parameters referred toby the image decoding apparatus 31 to decode each picture in a targetsequence is defined. For example, a reference value(pic_init_qp_minus26) of a quantization step size used for decoding of apicture and a flag (weighted_pred_flag) indicating an application of aweighted prediction are included. Note that multiple PPSs may exist. Inthat case, any of multiple PPSs is selected from each picture in atarget sequence.

Coding Picture

In the coding picture, a set of data referred to by the image decodingapparatus 31 to decode the picture PICT to be processed is defined. Asillustrated in (b) of FIG. 1, the picture PICT includes slices S0 toS_(NS-1) (NS is the total number of slices included in the picturePICT).

Note that in a case not necessary to distinguish the slices S0 toS_(NS-1) below, subscripts of reference signs may be omitted anddescribed. In addition, the same applies to other data with subscriptsincluded in the coding stream Te which will be described below.

Coding Slice

In the coding slice, a set of data referred to by the image decodingapparatus 31 to decode the slice S to be processed is defined. Asillustrated in (c) of FIG. 1, the slice S includes a slice header SH anda slice data SDATA.

The slice header SH includes a coding parameter group referred to by theimage decoding apparatus 31 to determine a decoding method for a targetslice. Slice type specification information (slice_type) indicating aslice type is one example of a coding parameter included in the sliceheader SH.

Examples of slice types that can be specified by the slice typespecification information include (1) I slice using only an intraprediction in coding, (2) P slice using a unidirectional prediction oran intra prediction in coding, and (3) B slice using a unidirectionalprediction, a bidirectional prediction, or an intra prediction incoding, and the like.

Note that, the slice header SH may include a reference to the pictureparameter set PPS (pic_parameter_set_id) included in the coding videosequence.

Coding Slice Data

In the coding slice data, a set of data referred to by the imagedecoding apparatus 31 to decode the slice data SDATA to be processed isdefined. As illustrated in (d) of FIG. 1, the slice data SDATA includesCoding Tree Units (CTUs). A CTU is a block of a fixed size (for example,64×64) constituting a slice, and may be called a Largest Coding Unit(LCU).

Coding Tree Unit

As illustrated in (e) of FIG. 1, a set of data referred to by the imagedecoding apparatus 31 to decode a coding tree unit to be processed isdefined. The coding tree unit is split by recursive quad tree splits.Nodes of a tree structure obtained by recursive quad tree splits arereferred to as Coding Nodes (CNs). Intermediate nodes of a quad tree arecoding nodes, and the coding tree unit itself is also defined as ahighest coding node. The CTU includes a split flag (cu_split_flag), andin a case that cu_split_flag is 1, the CTU is split into four codingnode CNs. In a case that cu_split_flag is 0, the coding node CN is notsplit, and has one Coding Unit (CU) as a node. The coding unit CU is anend node of the coding nodes and is not split any further. The codingunit CU is a basic unit of coding processing.

In addition, in a case that a size of the coding tree unit CTU is 64×64pixels, a size of the coding unit may be any of 64×64 pixels, 32×32pixels, 16×16 pixels, and 8×8 pixels.

Coding Unit

As illustrated in (f) of FIG. 1, a set of data referred to by the imagedecoding apparatus 31 to decode the coding unit to be processed isdefined. Specifically, the coding unit includes a prediction tree, atransform tree, and a CU header CUH. In the CU header, a predictionmode, a split method (PU split mode), and the like are defined.

In the prediction tree, prediction information (a reference pictureindex, a motion vector, and the like) of each prediction unit (PU)obtained by splitting the coding unit into one or more is defined. Inanother expression, the prediction unit is one or multiplenon-overlapping regions constituting the coding unit. In addition, theprediction tree includes one or multiple prediction units obtained bythe above-mentioned split. Note that, in the following, a unit ofprediction in which the prediction unit is further split is referred toas a “subblock.” The subblock includes multiple pixels. In a case thatsizes of a prediction unit and a subblock are the same, there is onesubblock in the prediction unit. In a case that the prediction unit hasa larger size than the subblock, the prediction unit is split intosubblocks. For example, in a case that the prediction unit has a size of8×8, and the subblock has a size of 4×4, the prediction unit is splitinto four subblocks which include two horizontal splits and two verticalsplits.

Prediction processing may be performed for each of such prediction units(subblocks).

Generally speaking, there are two types of splits in the predictiontree, including a case of an intra prediction and a case of an interprediction. The intra prediction refers to a prediction in an identicalpicture, and the inter prediction refers to prediction processingperformed between different pictures (for example, between pictures ofdifferent display times, and between pictures of different layerimages).

In a case of the intra prediction, a split method has sizes of 2N×2N(the same size as that of the coding unit) and N×N.

In addition, in a case of the inter prediction, the split methodincludes coding in a PU split mode (part_mode) of coded data, and hassizes of 2N×2N (the same size as that of the coding unit), 2N×N, 2N×nU,2N×nD, N×2N, nLx2N, nR×2N and N×N, and the like. Note that 2N×N and N×2Nindicate a symmetric split of 1:1, and 2N×nU, 2N×nD and nL×2N, nR×2Nindicate an asymmetric split of 1:3 and 3:1. The PUs included in the CUare expressed as PU0, PU1, PU2, and PU3 sequentially.

In addition, in the transform tree, the coding unit is split into one ormultiple transform units, and a position and a size of each transformunit are defined. In another expression, the transform unit is one ormultiple non-overlapping regions constituting the coding unit. Inaddition, the transform tree includes one or multiple transform unitsobtained by the above-mentioned split.

Splits in the transform tree include those to allocate a region in thesame size as that of the coding unit as a transform unit, and those byrecursive quad tree splits similarly to the above-mentioned split ofCUs.

Transform processing is performed for each of these transform units.

Reference Picture List

A reference picture list is a list including reference pictures storedin a reference picture memory 306.

Configuration of Image Decoding Apparatus

Next, a configuration of the image decoding apparatus 31 according tothe present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagramillustrating a configuration of the image decoding apparatus 31according to the present embodiment. The image decoding apparatus 31includes an entropy decoding unit 301, a prediction parameter decodingunit (a prediction image decoding apparatus) 302, a loop filter 305, areference picture memory 306, a prediction parameter memory 307, aprediction image generation unit (prediction image generation apparatus)308, an inverse quantization and inverse transform processing unit 311,and an addition unit 312.

In addition, the prediction parameter decoding unit 302 includes aninter prediction parameter decoding unit 303 and an intra predictionparameter decoding unit 304. The prediction image generation unit 308includes an inter prediction image generation unit 309 and an intraprediction image generation unit 310.

The entropy decoding unit 301 performs entropy decoding on the codingstream Te input from the outside and separates and decodes individualcodes (syntax components). The separated codes include predictioninformation to generate a prediction image and residual information togenerate a difference image and the like.

The entropy decoding unit 301 outputs a part of the separated codes tothe prediction parameter decoding unit 302. For example, a part of theseparated codes includes a prediction mode predMode, a PU split modepart_mode, a merge flag merge_flag, a merge index merge_idx, an interprediction indicator inter_pred_idc, a reference picture index refIdxLX,a prediction vector index mvp_LX_idx, and a difference vector mvdLX.Which code is to be decoded is controlled based on an indication of theprediction parameter decoding unit 302. The entropy decoding unit 301outputs quantization coefficients to the inverse quantization andinverse transform processing unit 311. These quantization coefficientsare coefficients obtained by performing a frequency transform such as aDiscrete Cosine Transform (DCT), a Discrete Sine Transform (DST), or aKaryhnen Loeve Transform (KLT) on residual signals to quantize thesignals in coding processing.

The inter prediction parameter decoding unit 303 decodes an interprediction parameter with reference to a prediction parameter stored inthe prediction parameter memory 307, based on a code input from theentropy decoding unit 301.

The inter prediction parameter decoding unit 303 outputs a decoded interprediction parameter to the prediction image generation unit 308, andalso stores the decoded inter prediction parameter in the predictionparameter memory 307.

The intra prediction parameter decoding unit 304 decodes an intraprediction parameter with reference to a prediction parameter stored inthe prediction parameter memory 307, based on a code input from theentropy decoding unit 301. The intra prediction parameter is a parameterused in processing to predict a CU in one picture, for example, an intraprediction mode IntraPredMode. The intra prediction parameter decodingunit 304 outputs a decoded intra prediction parameter to the predictionimage generation unit 308, and also stores the decoded intra predictionparameter in the prediction parameter memory 307.

The intra prediction parameter decoding unit 304 may derive differentintra prediction modes depending on luminance and chrominance. In thiscase, the intra prediction parameter decoding unit 304 decodes aluminance prediction mode IntraPredModeY as a prediction parameter ofluminance and decodes a chrominance prediction mode IntraPredModeC as aprediction parameter of chrominance. The luminance prediction modeIntraPredModeY includes 35 modes, and corresponds to a planar prediction(0), a DC prediction (1), and directional predictions (2 to 34). Thechrominance prediction mode IntraPredModeC uses any of the planarprediction (0), the DC prediction (1), the directional predictions (2 to34), and an LM mode (35). The intra prediction parameter decoding unit304 may decode a flag indicating whether IntraPredModeC is the same modeas the luminance mode, assign IntraPredModeY to IntraPredModeC in a caseof that the flag indicates the same mode as the luminance mode, anddecode the planar prediction (0), the DC prediction (1), the directionalpredictions (2 to 34), and the LM mode (35) as IntraPredModeC in a caseof that the flag indicates a different mode from the luminance mode.

The loop filter 305 applies filters such as a deblocking filter, SampleAdaptive Offset (SAO), and an adaptive loop filter (ALF) to the decodedimage of the CU generated by the addition unit 312.

The reference picture memory 306 stores a decoded image of the CUgenerated by the addition unit 312 in a predetermined position for eachpicture and CU to be decoded.

The prediction parameter memory 307 stores a prediction parameter in apredetermined position for each picture and prediction unit (or asubblock, a fixed size block, and a pixel) to be decoded. Specifically,the prediction parameter memory 307 stores an inter prediction parameterdecoded by the inter prediction parameter decoding unit 303, an intraprediction parameter decoded by the intra prediction parameter decodingunit 304 and a prediction mode predMode separated by the entropydecoding unit 301. For example, stored inter prediction parametersinclude a prediction list use flag predFlagLX (inter predictionindicator inter_pred_idc), a reference picture index refIdxLX, and amotion vector mvLX.

The prediction image generation unit 308 receives input of a predictionmode predMode from the entropy decoding unit 301 and a predictionparameter from the prediction parameter decoding unit 302. In addition,the prediction image generation unit 308 reads a reference picture fromthe reference picture memory 306. The prediction image generation unit308 generates a prediction image of a PU or a subblock by using theinput prediction parameter and the read reference picture (referencepicture block) in the prediction mode indicated by the prediction modepredMode.

Here, in a case that the prediction mode predMode indicates an interprediction mode, the inter prediction image generation unit 309generates a prediction image of a PU or a subblock using an interprediction by using the inter prediction parameter input from the interprediction parameter decoding unit 303 and the read reference picture(reference picture block).

For a reference picture list (an L0 list or an L1 list) in which theprediction list use flag predFlagLX is 1, the inter prediction imagegeneration unit 309 reads, from the reference picture memory 306, areference picture block at a position indicated by a motion vector mvLXwith reference to the PU to be decoded in the reference pictureindicated by the reference picture index refIdxLX. The inter predictionimage generation unit 309 performs a prediction based on a readreference picture block and generates a prediction image of the PU. Theinter prediction image generation unit 309 outputs the generatedprediction image of the PU to the addition unit 312. Here, the referencepicture block refers to a set of pixels (referred to as a block becausethey are normally rectangular) on a reference picture and is a regionthat is referred to generate a prediction image of a PU or a subblock.

In a case that the prediction mode predMode indicates an intraprediction mode, the intra prediction image generation unit 310 performsan intra prediction by using an intra prediction parameter input fromthe intra prediction parameter decoding unit 304 and a read referencepicture. Specifically, the intra prediction image generation unit 310reads, from the reference picture memory 306, a PU, which is a pictureto be decoded, and a PU neighboring a PU to be decoded in apredetermined range among PUs that have already been decoded. Thepredetermined range is, for example, any of neighboring PUs on left, topleft, top, and top right sides in a case that a PU to be decodedsequentially moves in an order of a so-called raster scan and variesaccording to intra prediction modes. The order of the raster scan is anorder of sequential movement from the left edge to the right edge ineach picture for each row from the top edge to the bottom edge.

The intra prediction image generation unit 310 performs a prediction ina prediction mode indicated by the intra prediction mode IntraPredModebased on a read neighboring PU and generates a prediction image of a PU.The intra prediction image generation unit 310 outputs the generatedprediction image of the PU to the addition unit 312.

In a case that the intra prediction parameter decoding unit 304 derivesdifferent intra prediction modes depending on luminance and chrominance,the intra prediction image generation unit 310 generates a predictionimage of a PU of luminance by any of a planar prediction (0), a DCprediction (1), and directional predictions (2 to 34) in accordance witha luminance prediction mode IntraPredModeY, and generates a predictionimage of a PU of chrominance by any of a planar prediction (0), a DCprediction (1), directional predictions (2 to 34), and an LM mode (35)in accordance with a chrominance prediction mode IntraPredModeC.

The inverse quantization and inverse transform processing unit 311performs inverse quantization on a quantization coefficient input fromthe entropy decoding unit 301 to calculate a transform coefficient. Theinverse quantization and inverse transform processing unit 311 performsan inverse frequency transform such as an inverse DCT, an inverse DST,or an inverse KLT on the calculated transform coefficient to calculate aresidual signal. The inverse quantization and inverse transformprocessing unit 311 outputs the calculated residual signal to theaddition unit 312.

The addition unit 312 adds the prediction image of the PU input from theinter prediction image generation unit 309 or the intra prediction imagegeneration unit 310 to the residual signal input from the inversequantization and inverse transform processing unit 311 for each pixeland generates a decoded image of the PU. The addition unit 312 storesthe generated decoded image of a PU in the reference picture memory 306,and outputs a decoded image Td where the generated decoded image of thePU is integrated for each picture to the outside.

Configuration of Image Coding Apparatus

Next, a configuration of the image coding apparatus 11 according to thepresent embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagramillustrating a configuration of the image coding apparatus 11 accordingto the present embodiment. The image coding apparatus 11 includes aprediction image generation unit 101, a subtraction unit 102, atransform and quantization unit 103, an entropy encoder 104, an inversequantization and inverse transform processing unit 105, an addition unit106, a loop filter 107, a prediction parameter memory (a predictionparameter storage unit, a frame memory) 108, a reference picture memory(a reference image storage unit, a frame memory) 109, a coding parameterdetermination unit 110, and a prediction parameter encoder 111. Theprediction parameter encoder 111 includes an inter prediction parameterencoder 112 and an intra prediction parameter encoder 113.

For each picture of an image T, the prediction image generation unit 101generates a prediction image P of a prediction unit PU for each codingunit CU that is a region obtained by splitting the picture. Here, theprediction image generation unit 101 reads a block that has been decodedfrom the reference picture memory 109 based on a prediction parameterinput from the prediction parameter encoder 111. For example, in a caseof an inter prediction, the prediction parameter input from theprediction parameter encoder 111 is a motion vector. The predictionimage generation unit 101 reads a block at a position in a referenceimage indicated by the motion vector starting from a target PU. Inaddition, in a case of an intra prediction, the prediction parameter is,for example, an intra prediction mode. A pixel value of a neighboring PUused in the intra prediction mode is read from the reference picturememory 109, and the prediction image P of the PU is generated. Theprediction image generation unit 101 generates the prediction image P ofthe PU by using one prediction scheme among multiple prediction schemesfor a read reference picture block. The prediction image generation unit101 outputs the generated prediction image P of the PU to thesubtraction unit 102.

Note that the operation of the prediction image generation unit 101 isthe same as that of the prediction image generation unit 308 alreadydescribed.

The prediction image generation unit 101 generates a prediction image Pof a PU based on a pixel value of a reference block read from thereference picture memory, using a parameter input by the predictionparameter encoder. The prediction image generated by the predictionimage generation unit 101 is output to the subtraction unit 102 and theaddition unit 106.

The subtraction unit 102 subtracts a signal value of the predictionimage P of the PU input from the prediction image generation unit 101from a pixel value of a corresponding PU of the image T to generate aresidual signal. The subtraction unit 102 outputs the generated residualsignal to the transform and quantization unit 103.

The transform and quantization unit 103 performs a frequency transformon the residual signal input from the subtraction unit 102 to calculatea transform coefficient. The transform and quantization unit 103quantizes the calculated transform coefficient to obtain a quantizationcoefficient. The transform and quantization unit 103 outputs theobtained quantization coefficient to the entropy encoder 104 and theinverse quantization and inverse transform processing unit 105.

To the entropy encoder 104, the quantization coefficient is input fromthe transform and quantization unit 103, and coding parameters are inputfrom the prediction parameter encoder 111. For example, input codingparameters include codes such as a reference picture index refIdxLX, aprediction vector index mvp_LX_idx, a difference vector mvdLX, aprediction mode predMode, and a merge index merge_idx.

The entropy encoder 104 performs entropy coding on the inputquantization coefficients and coding parameters to generate the codingstream Te, and outputs the generated coding stream Te to the outside.

The inverse quantization and inverse transform processing unit 105performs inverse quantization on the quantization coefficient input fromthe transform and quantization unit 103 to obtain a transformcoefficient. The inverse quantization and inverse transform processingunit 105 performs an inverse frequency transform on the obtainedtransform coefficient to calculate a residual signal. The inversequantization and inverse transform processing unit 105 outputs thecalculated residual signal to the addition unit 106.

The addition unit 106 adds a signal value of the prediction image P ofthe PU input from the prediction image generation unit 101 to a signalvalue of the residual signal input from the inverse quantization andinverse transform processing unit 105 for each pixel and generates adecoded image. The addition unit 106 stores the generated decoded imagein the reference picture memory 109.

The loop filter 107 applies a deblocking filter, Sample Adaptive Offset(SAO), and an Adaptive Loop Filter (ALF) to the decoded image generatedby the addition unit 106.

The prediction parameter memory 108 stores the prediction parametersgenerated by the coding parameter determination unit 110 for eachpicture and CU to be coded at a predetermined position.

The reference picture memory 109 stores the decoded image generated bythe loop filter 107 for each picture and CU to be coded at apredetermined position.

The coding parameter determination unit 110 selects one set amongmultiple sets of coding parameters. A coding parameter refers to theabove-mentioned prediction parameter or a parameter to be coded, theparameter being generated in association with the prediction parameter.The prediction image generation unit 101 generates the prediction imageP of the PU by using each of the sets of the coding parameters.

The coding parameter determination unit 110 calculates, for each of themultiple sets, a cost value indicating the magnitude of an amount ofinformation and a coding error. A cost value is, for example, the sum ofa code amount and the value obtained by multiplying a coefficient λ by asquare error. The code amount is an amount of information of the codingstream Te obtained by performing entropy coding on a quantization errorand a coding parameter. The square error is the sum of pixels for squarevalues of residual values of residual signals calculated in thesubtraction unit 102. The coefficient λ is a real number greater than apreconfigured zero. The coding parameter determination unit 110 selectsa set of coding parameters of which cost value calculated is a minimumvalue. With this configuration, the entropy encoder 104 outputs theselected set of coding parameters as the coding stream Te to the outsideand does not output an unselected set of coding parameters. The codingparameter determination unit 110 stores the determined coding parametersin the prediction parameter memory 108.

The prediction parameter encoder 111 derives a format for coding fromparameters input from the coding parameter determination unit 110 andoutputs the format to the entropy encoder 104. The derivation of theformat for coding is, for example, to derive a difference vector from amotion vector and a prediction vector. The prediction parameter encoder111 derives parameters necessary to generate a prediction image fromparameters input from the coding parameter determination unit 110 andoutputs the parameters to the prediction image generation unit 101. Aparameter necessary to generate a prediction image is, for example, amotion vector of a subblock unit.

The inter prediction parameter encoder 112 derives inter predictionparameters such as a difference vector based on the predictionparameters input from the coding parameter determination unit 110. Theinter prediction parameter encoder 112 includes a partly identicalconfiguration to a configuration in which the inter prediction parameterdecoding unit 303 (see FIG. 3 and the like) derives inter predictionparameters, as a configuration for deriving parameters necessary forgeneration of a prediction image output to the prediction imagegeneration unit 101.

The intra prediction parameter encoder 113 derives a format for coding(for example, MPM_idx, rem_intra_luma_pred_mode, or the like) from theintra prediction mode IntraPredMode input from the coding parameterdetermination unit 110.

Note that, some of the image coding apparatus 11 and the image decodingapparatus 31 in the above-described embodiments, for example, theentropy decoding unit 301, the prediction parameter decoding unit 302,the loop filter 305, the prediction image generation unit 308, theinverse quantization and inverse transform processing unit 311, theaddition unit 312, the prediction image generation unit 101, thesubtraction unit 102, the transform and quantization unit 103, theentropy encoder 104, the inverse quantization and inverse transformprocessing unit 105, the loop filter 107, the coding parameterdetermination unit 110, and the prediction parameter encoder 111, may berealized by a computer. In that case, this configuration may be realizedby recording a program for realizing such control functions on acomputer-readable recording medium and causing a computer system to readthe program recorded on the recording medium for execution. Note thatthe “computer system” mentioned here refers to a computer system builtinto either the image coding apparatus 11 or the image decodingapparatus 31 and is assumed to include an OS and hardware componentssuch as a peripheral apparatus. Furthermore, a “computer-readablerecording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, amagneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and the like, and a storagedevice such as a hard disk built into the computer system. Moreover, the“computer-readable recording medium” may include a medium thatdynamically retains a program for a short period of time, such as acommunication line in a case that the program is transmitted over anetwork such as the Internet or over a communication line such as atelephone line, and may also include a medium that retains the programfor a fixed period of time, such as a volatile memory included in thecomputer system functioning as a server or a client in such a case.Furthermore, the above-described program may be one for realizing someof the above-described functions, and also may be one capable ofrealizing the above-described functions in combination with a programalready recorded in a computer system.

Part or all of the image coding apparatus 11 and the image decodingapparatus 31 in the embodiments described above may be realized as anintegrated circuit such as a Large Scale Integration (LSI). Eachfunction block of the image coding apparatus 11 and the image decodingapparatus 31 may be individually realized as processors, or part or allmay be integrated into processors. The circuit integration technique isnot limited to LSI, and the integrated circuits for the functionalblocks may be realized as dedicated circuits or a multi-purposeprocessor. In a case that with advances in semiconductor technology, acircuit integration technology with which an LSI is replaced appears, anintegrated circuit based on the technology may be used.

The embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detailabove referring to the drawings, but the specific configuration is notlimited to the above embodiments and various amendments can be made to adesign that fall within the scope that does not depart from the gist ofthe present disclosure.

WPP

The image decoding apparatus 31 and the image coding apparatus 11according to the present embodiment perform decoding processing andcoding processing based on Wavefront Parallel Processing (WPP). First,with reference to FIG. 4, an overview of WPP will be described. (a) to(c) of FIG. 4 are diagrams for describing an overview of WPP. WPP is atechnique for performing parallel processing for each CTU row, wherebycoding and decoding processing of each CTU row is performed sequentiallywith the coding and decoding processing being delayed by a time periodcorresponding to several CTUs. In this manner, in the coding anddecoding processing in a target CTU, probability of occurrence of CABACin a CTU row that is immediately above a CTU row including the targetCTU can be used. Further, images and prediction parameters in the CTUrow immediately above the CTU row including the target CTU can bereferred to. For this reason, performance of entropy coding, intraprediction, and inter prediction is higher than that of slices or thelike. In the following, the image decoding apparatus 31 and the imagecoding apparatus 11 decode or code a flagentropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag indicating whether or not WPP is to beperformed.

As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 4, in WPP, for each CTU row, processingcan be performed with the processing being delayed by, for example, atime period corresponding to two CTUs (M=1). Further, in the processingof the target CTU, for example, information of CTUs on the upper rightside, upper side, upper left side, and left side of the target CTU canbe used.

Further, for the sake of independency of CABAC coding (decoding) of eachCTU row, CABAC is initialized (reset) at the start of the CTU row. InWPP, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 4, in a case thatentropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag is 1, at the start of each CTU row, acontext after processing of the (M+1)-th (for example, the second) CTUfrom the left of the immediately above CTU row is copied to initialize aCABAC state. Here, the CTU located at the leftmost is referred to as thefirst CTU.

Further, in a case that intra prediction and inter prediction areperformed, a CTU row on the CTU row including the target CTU can be usedas a reference region. In WPP, as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 4, also asthe reference region in a case that intra prediction is performed, theCTUs up to the position that is a position one CTU forward relative tothe target CTU in the CTU row immediately above the CTU row includingthe target CTU can be used. Regarding a referable range, the same alsoholds true for the inter prediction in addition to the intra prediction.

Problems of WPP

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, problems of WPP of HEVC will bedescribed. (a) to (c) of FIG. 5 are diagrams for describing problems ofWPP. In WPP of HEVC, the coding and decoding processing of each CTU rowis performed sequentially with the coding and decoding processing beingdelayed by two CTUs. There is a problem that the delay amount is fixedto two CTUs and is also large. Further, in a case that a CTU width isdoubled, the delay amount is doubled. For example, in a case that awidth Wa of the CTU illustrated in (a) of FIG. 5 is twice as large as awidth Wb of the CTU illustrated in (b) of FIG. 5, the delay amount ofeach single CTU row in the example illustrated in (a) of FIG. 5 is twiceas large as the delay amount of the example illustrated in (b) of FIG.5. Thus, there is a problem that the delay amount is further increasedas the width of the CTU is further increased. Note that, even in a casethat heights are different ((b) and (c) of FIG. 5), the delay amount isthe same on the condition that the widths of the CTUs are the same. WPPof HEVC has the following problems, including the problems describedabove.

(Problem 1) There is a problem that a delay amount M is 1 (correspondingto two CTUs) and is large in a fixed manner (particularly in a case thatthe CTU size is large).

(Problem 2) There is a problem that the delay amount M may be increaseddepending on the width of the CTU.

(Problem 3) Because the delay amount M is fixed, parallelism cannot beimproved by reducing the delay amount. Further, performance of entropycoding, intra prediction, and inter prediction cannot be improved byincreasing the delay amount M.

(Problem 4) In HEVC, the delay amount (range) of prediction isdetermined in a range of the delay amount of CABAC. Specifically, thereis a problem that reference possibility determining the delay amount ofprediction is not dependent on presence or absence of operation of WPP(entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag). For this reason, there is a problemthat, in a case that WPP is “ON” in processing in which pixels orprediction parameters of an above CTU row, for example, are referred toin the intra prediction or the inter prediction, actual reference cannotbe performed.

(Problem 5) Only the delay amount of CABAC is defined in a fixed manner,and the delay amount of prediction is not defined. Specifically, thereis a problem that the delay amount of CABAC and the delay amount ofprediction cannot be set to different values. For this reason, forexample, in the image decoding apparatus in which CABAC processing isperformed prior to prediction processing, a configuration in which theCABAC processing is started and then the prediction processing isperformed later (configuration in which the delay amount of CABAC isreduced less than the delay amount of prediction) cannot be implemented.In the image coding apparatus in which the prediction processing isperformed prior to the CABAC processing, a configuration in which theprediction processing is started and then the CABAC processing isperformed later (configuration in which the delay amount of CABAC isreduced to less than the delay amount of prediction) cannot beimplemented. In the following description, in a case that the delayamount M of prediction and the delay amount M of CABAC aredistinguished, the delay amount of prediction is represented by Mp andthe delay amount of CABAC is represented by Mc.

Basic Configuration

As described above, in WPP of HEVC, decoding is performed by usinginformation of CTUs up to the position that is a position one CTUforward relative to the target CTU in the CTU row immediately above thetarget CTU. Moreover, the processing has the problems described above.

In view of this, the prediction image generation unit 308 and theentropy decoding unit 301 according to the present embodiment performgeneration of a prediction image, derivation of a prediction parameter,or entropy decoding through the following processing, in a case thatparallel processing is performed with time being shifted in each CTU rowas in WPP. Note that an entity that performs the generation of aprediction image is the prediction image generation unit 308, an entitythat performs the derivation of a prediction parameter is the interprediction parameter decoding unit 303 and the intra predictionparameter decoding unit 304, and an entity that performs the entropydecoding is the entropy decoding unit 301.

Reduction of Delay Amount of Intra Prediction and Inter Prediction

In a case that the prediction image generation unit 308 generates aprediction image by use of the intra prediction, the prediction imagegeneration unit 308 may generate the prediction image by performing theintra prediction by using only pixel values up to the CTU that islocated at the same position as the target CTU in the CTU rowimmediately above the CTU (target CTU) including the target block. Inthis case, the intra prediction can be started earlier than that in acase that pixel values up to the CTU at a position one CTU forwardrelative to (one CTU ahead of) the target CTU in the CTU row immediatelyabove the target CTU are used. This is because there is no need to waitfor completion of the decoding processing of the CTU at a position oneCTU forward relative to the CTU located at the same position as thetarget CTU in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU.

In a similar manner to the prediction image generation unit 308, in acase that the inter prediction parameter decoding unit 303 and the intraprediction parameter decoding unit 304 derive the prediction parameterby use of the inter prediction and the intra prediction, the interprediction parameter decoding unit 303 and the intra predictionparameter decoding unit 304 may derive the prediction parameter of thetarget block by using the prediction parameters up to the position ofthe CTU located at the same position as the target CTU in the CTU rowimmediately above the target CTU. For example, in reference of motioninformation of an upper left block, an upper block, and an upper rightblock in derivation of spatial merge candidates and in reference of anintra prediction mode of an upper left block, an upper block, and anupper right block in derivation of an estimation intra prediction mode(MostProbableMode, MPM), derivation may be performed by using only theprediction parameters up to the CTU located at the same position.Specifically, the delay M may be configured to be 1.

Details of Intra Prediction Limitation and Inter Prediction Limitation

More specifically, the prediction image generation unit 308 and theprediction parameter decoding unit 302 may perform the processingdescribed above in the following measures. HEVC defines processing ofderiving availableN, which indicates whether or not a neighboring regionrepresented by (xNbY, yNbY) is available in a target region representedby (xCurr, yCurr). Here, (xCurr, yCurr) represents upper leftcoordinates of the target block in a case that the upper left in thetarget picture is used as the origin. (xNbY, yNbY) represents upper leftcoordinates of a neighboring block in a case that the upper left in thetarget picture is used as the origin. Further, in a case that (xNbY,yNbY) is unavailable, availableN is rendered FALSE. Note that, in HEVC,criterion for judging whether or not (xNbY, yNbY) is available isexpressed as follows.

xNbY is less than 0

yNbY is less than 0

xNbY is greater than or equal to pic_width_in_luma_samples

yNbY is greater than or equal to pic_height_in_luma_samples

Further, in the processing of deriving availableN, the prediction imagegeneration unit 308 and the prediction parameter decoding unit 302according to the present embodiment perform processing by adding, to thecondition of availableN=FALSE, a condition of “in a case thatentropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag is 1 and a CTU position of xNbY is atleast a processing size wCTU*(Mp+1) ahead from the current CTU position”(wCTU represents a CTU width) with M (in the equations below, Mp, Mp=M)representing the delay amount. Note thatentropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag is a flag indicating whether or not WPPis to be performed. Thus, in the present embodiment, in a case that anyof the following conditions is satisfied, availableN is rendered FALSE.

xNbY is less than 0

yNbY is less than 0

xNbY is greater than or equal to pic_width_in_luma_samples

yNbY is greater than or equal to pic_height_in_luma_samples

entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag is 1 and CTU addr of xNbY is greaterthan or equal to CTU addr of xCurr+wCTU*(Mp+1)

Here, the CTU position using the unit of the CTU width wCTU of a targetposition (xCurr, yCurr) and a reference position (xNbY, yNbY) can bederived by performing a right shift using ctuSizeBit. Thus, a case thatavailableN is FALSE may be derived by using the following equation.

entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag is 1 and (xNbY>>ctuSizeBit) is greaterthan or equal to (xCurr>>ctuSizeBit)+Mp+1

Here, ctuSizeBit=log 2(wCTU).

Alternatively, the case may be derived by using the following equation.entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag is 1 and (xNbY % wCTU) is greater thanor equal to (xCurr % wCTU)+Mp+1

Note that, as a flag indicating whether or not reference is possible,derivation may be performed as a flag related to WPP instead ofperforming derivation as one of the flags availableN related to theoutside of the picture. In this case, derivation can be performedaccording to the following.

availableN=entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag==0 or (xNbY>>ctuSizeBit) isless than or equal to (xCurr>>ctuSizeBit)+Mp

This also holds true in the following.

availableN=entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag==0 or (xNbY % wCTU) is lessthan or equal to (xCurr % wCTU)+Mp

Further, in the present embodiment, by configuring M (Mp) asappropriate, a referable range of the CTUs can be configured at anyposition. By setting M to lower than 1, Problem 1 can be solved. Forexample, in a case that M=0, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 6, areference CTU that can be used for the intra prediction and the interprediction is a CTU located at the same position in the CTU rowimmediately above the target CTU. Further, in a case that M=0.5, asillustrated in (b) of FIG. 6, the reference CTU that can be used for theintra prediction is a region at a position 0.5 CTU forward relative tothe CTU located at the same position in the CTU row immediately abovethe target CTU. Note that, in a case that the reference region islocated inside the CTU, this case can be handled by changing blockscanning order in the CTU. Processing of changing the block scanningorder will be described later.

Note that coordinates (xCTU, yCTU) of the target CTU being a CTUincluding the position (xCurr, yCurr) may be derived as below.

xCTU=xCurr/wCTU*wCTU=(xCurr>>ctuSizeBit)<<ctuSizeBit

yCTU=yCurr/hCTU*hCTU=(xCurr>>log 2(hCTU))<<log 2(hCTU)

In this case, in the target CTU (xCTU, yCTU), the prediction imagegeneration unit 308 according to the present embodiment may use imagesup to xCTU+wCTU*(Mp+1)−1 in the immediately above CTU row for the intraprediction. Further, the inter prediction parameter decoding unit 303and the intra prediction parameter decoding unit 304 may also use theprediction parameters of prediction blocks up to xCTU+wCTU*(Mp+1)−1 forderivation of the prediction parameter of the target block.

In this manner, by deriving the reference possibility availableN ofpixels and prediction parameters of the intra prediction and the interprediction depending on entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag and the targetposition (xCurr, yCurr) and the reference position (xNb, yNb), operationcan be guaranteed even in a case that a reference range of the pixelsand the prediction parameters of the intra prediction and the interprediction is increased. This brings an effect of solving Problem 4.

Reduction of Delay Amount of Entropy Decoding Unit

In CABAC decoding, the entropy decoding unit 301 may perform CABACinitialization of the target CTU by using a CABAC state at a time pointthat decoding processing of the CTU located at the same position in theCTU row immediately above the target CTU is completed. In this manner,the CABAC processing can be started earlier than that in a case that aCABAC state at a time point that decoding processing of the CTU at aposition one CTU forward relative to the CTU located at the sameposition as the target CTU in the CTU row immediately above the targetCTU is completed is used. This is because there is no need to wait forcompletion of the decoding processing of the CTU at a position one CTUforward relative to the CTU located at the same position as the targetCTU in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU.

More specifically, the entropy decoding unit 301 performs the processingdescribed above in the following measures. In HEVC, in a case thatentropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag indicating whether or not WPP is to beperformed is 1, the entropy decoding unit 301 stores a CABAC state of asecond CTU (CtbAddrInRs % PicWidthInCtbsY is equal to 1) in the CTU rowin a storage (memory) and initializes a first CTU (CtbAddrInRs %PicWidthInCtbsY is equal to 0) in the next CTU row using the CABAC statestored in the storage. Here, CtbAddrInRs represents a CTU address of acase that the CTUs are scanned in raster scan order in a picture, andPicWidthInCtbsY represents the number of CTUs of the picture in thehorizontal direction. A relationship with a block upper left position(xCurr, yCurr) in each picture is as below. Thus, determination may beperformed by using a block upper left position in each pixel. The sameholds true for the following.

(CtbAddrInRs % PicWidthInCtbsY)=(xCurr % wCTU)=(xCurr>>ctuSizeBit)

Details of Entropy Decoding Unit

In a case that entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag=1 (WPP “ON”), theentropy decoding unit 301 according to the present embodiment stores aCABAC state of a case of the (Mc+1)-th CTU in the CTU row (CtbAddrInRs %PicWidthInCtbsY is equal to Mc). Then, initialization is performed byusing the CABAC state stored in the storage in a case of the first CTU(CtbAddrInRs % PicWidthInCtbsY is equal to 0) in the next CTU row.

Further, in the present embodiment, by configuring Mc as appropriate,the position of CABAC initialization can be configured at any position.By setting Mc to less than 1, Problem 1 can be solved.

For example, in a case that Mc=0, as illustrated in FIG. 7, in the CABACdecoding, CABAC initialization of the target CTU can be performed byusing a CABAC state at a time point that decoding processing of the CTUlocated at the same position in the CTU row immediately above the targetCTU is completed. Note that, in a case that a CABAC state at a timepoint that decoding processing of the CTU at a position one CTU forwardrelative to the CTU located at the same position as the target CTU inthe CTU row immediately above the target CTU is completed is used inaccordance with HEVC, it is only necessary that Mc be set to 1.

Note that the prediction image generation unit 101 of the image codingapparatus 11 performs processing similar to that of the prediction imagegeneration unit 308 described above. Further, in initialization of astate of CABAC, the entropy encoder 104 of the image coding apparatus 11performs processing similar to the initialization of a state of CABACperformed by the entropy decoding unit 301 described above.

As described above, the image decoding apparatus 31 according to thepresent embodiment is an image decoding apparatus 31 for dividing apicture into multiple CTU rows and decoding each of the multiple CTUrows sequentially from top. The image decoding apparatus 31 includes:the prediction image generation unit 308 that generates, in a case ofgenerating a prediction image by use of the intra prediction, theprediction image to be used for decoding of a target CTU by usingdecoded data up to the same position as the target CTU in the CTU row(second CTU row) immediately above the CTU row (first CTU row) includingthe target CTU; and the entropy decoding unit 301 that decodes thetarget CTU by using a state of CABAC at the same position as the targetCTU in the second CTU row.

Processing Example 1

Next, with reference to (a) of FIG. 8, Processing Example 1 will bedescribed. In the present processing example, in the processing in thetarget CTU, the prediction image generation unit 308 uses CTUs up to thesame position in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU as thereference CTU to be referred to in a case of generating a predictionimage by use of the intra prediction. Further, the entropy decoding unit301 performs initialization of a CABAC state of the first CTU in the CTUrow by using a CABAC state of the CTU located at the same position inthe immediately above CTU row.

Specifically, in Processing Example 1, the prediction image generationunit 308 performs processing in the above-described processing with Mpbeing 0, and the entropy decoding unit 301 performs processing in theabove-described processing with Mc being 0.

In other words, in the target CTU (xCTU, yCTU), the prediction imagegeneration unit 308 uses images up to xCTU+wCTU*1−1 in the immediatelyabove CTU row for the intra prediction. In the inter predictionparameter decoding unit 303 and the intra prediction parameter decodingunit 304 as well, blocks up to xCTU+wCTU*1−1 may be referred to.Further, the entropy decoding unit 301 performs CABAC initialization inthe CTU row of a processing target by using a CABAC state at a timepoint that processing in the first CTU in the immediately above CTU rowis completed.

As described above, the prediction image generation unit 308 of theimage decoding apparatus 31 according to the present processing examplegenerates, in a case of generating a prediction image by use of theintra prediction, the prediction image to be used for decoding of atarget CTU by using decoded data up to the same position as the targetCTU in the CTU row (second CTU row) immediately above the CTU row (firstCTU row) including the target CTU, and the entropy decoding unit 301decodes the target CTU by using a state of CABAC at the same position asthe target CTU in the second CTU row. Note that, in the inter predictionparameter decoding unit 303 and the intra prediction parameter decodingunit 304 as well, prediction parameters may be derived by using thedecoded data up to the same position as the target CTU.

Processing Example 2

Next, with reference to (b) of FIG. 8, Processing Example 2 will bedescribed. In the present processing example, in the processing in thetarget CTU, the prediction image generation unit 308 uses a CTU at aposition one CTU forward relative to the CTU located at the sameposition in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU as thereference CTU to be referred to in a case of generating a predictionimage by use of the intra prediction. Further, the entropy decoding unit301 performs initialization of a CABAC state of the first CTU in the CTUrow by using a CABAC state of the CTU located at the same position inthe immediately above CTU row.

Specifically, in Processing Example 2, the prediction image generationunit 308 performs processing in the above-described processing with Mpbeing 1, and the entropy decoding unit 301 performs processing in theabove-described processing with Mc being 0.

In other words, in the target CTU (xCTU, yCTU), the prediction imagegeneration unit 308 uses images up to xCTU+wCTU*2−1 in the immediatelyabove CTU row for the intra prediction. In the inter predictionparameter decoding unit 303 and the intra prediction parameter decodingunit 304 as well, blocks up to xCTU+wCTU*2−1 may be referred to.Further, the entropy decoding unit 301 performs CABAC initialization inthe CTU row of a processing target by using a CABAC state at a timepoint that processing in the first CTU in the immediately above CTU rowis completed.

As described above, the prediction image generation unit 308 of theimage decoding apparatus 31 according to the processing examplegenerates, in a case of generating a prediction image by use of theintra prediction, the prediction image to be used for decoding of atarget CTU by using decoded data up to a position one CTU forwardrelative to the CTU located at the same position as the target CTU inthe CTU row (second CTU row) immediately above the CTU row (first CTUrow) including the target CTU, and the entropy decoding unit 301 decodesthe target CTU by using a state of CABAC at the same position as thetarget CTU in the second CTU row. Note that, in the inter predictionparameter decoding unit 303 and the intra prediction parameter decodingunit 304 as well, prediction parameters may be derived by using thedecoded data up to the position one CTU forward relative to the CTUlocated at the same position as the target CTU.

In this manner, by configuring the delay amount Mp of CABAC and thedelay amount Mc of prediction to different values (Mc<Mp), Problem 5 issolved, and in the image decoding apparatus in which the CABACprocessing is performed prior to the prediction processing, theconfiguration in which the CABAC processing is started and then theprediction processing is performed later (configuration in which thedelay amount of CABAC is reduced to less than the delay amount ofprediction) can be implemented.

Conversely, the prediction image generation unit 308 may performprocessing in the above-described processing with Mp being 0, and theentropy decoding unit 301 may perform processing in the above-describedprocessing with Mc being 1. By configuring the delay amount Mp of CABACand the delay amount Mc of prediction to different values (Mc>Mp), inthe image coding apparatus in which the prediction processing isperformed prior to the CABAC processing, a configuration in which theprediction processing is started and then the CABAC processing isperformed later (configuration in which the delay amount of CABAC isreduced to less than the delay amount of prediction) can be implemented.

Processing Example 3

Next, with reference to (c) of FIG. 8, Processing Example 3 will bedescribed. In the present processing example, in the processing in thetarget CTU, the prediction image generation unit 308 uses a region(Mp=0.5) at a position 0.5 CTU forward relative to the CTU located atthe same position in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU as thereference CTU to be referred to in a case of generating a predictionimage by use of the intra prediction. Further, the entropy decoding unit301 performs initialization of a CABAC state of the first CTU in the CTUrow by using a CABAC state of the CTU located at the same position inthe immediately above CTU row (Mc=0).

Specifically, in Processing Example 3, the prediction image generationunit 308 performs processing in the above-described processing with Mpbeing 0.5, and the entropy decoding unit 301 performs processing in theabove-described processing with Mc being 0.

In other words, in the target CTU (xCTU, yCTU), the prediction imagegeneration unit 308 uses images up to xCTU+wCTU*1.5−1 in the immediatelyabove CTU row for the intra prediction. In the inter predictionparameter decoding unit 303 and the intra prediction parameter decodingunit 304 as well, blocks up to xCTU+wCTU*1.5−1 are referred to. Further,the entropy decoding unit 301 performs CABAC initialization in the CTUrow of a processing target by using a CABAC state at a time point thatprocessing in the first CTU in the immediately above CTU row iscompleted.

As described above, the prediction image generation unit 308 of theimage decoding apparatus 31 according to the present processing examplegenerates, in a case of generating a prediction image by use of theintra prediction, the prediction image to be used for decoding of atarget CTU by using decoded data up to a position 0.5 CTU forwardrelative to the CTU located at the same position as the target CTU inthe CTU row (second CTU row) immediately above the CTU row (first CTUrow) including the target CTU, and the entropy decoding unit 301 decodesthe target CTU by using a state of CABAC at the same position as thetarget CTU in the second CTU row. Note that, in the inter predictionparameter decoding unit 303 and the intra prediction parameter decodingunit 304 as well, prediction parameters may be derived by using thedecoded data up to the position 0.5 CTU forward relative to the CTUlocated at the same position as the target CTU.

Further, as illustrated in Processing Examples 1 to 3, in the presentembodiment, a region that can be used in a case that the predictionimage generation unit 308 generates a prediction image by use of theintra prediction and a region of the CTU that is used by the entropydecoding unit 301 to perform CABAC initialization need not necessarilymatch each other.

Processing Example 4

In the present processing example, regarding the processing based on WPPdescribed above, the processing ((a) of FIG. 9) using information of theCTUs up to the position one CTU forward relative to the same position asthe target CTU in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU or theprocessing described in Processing Example 1 can be selected. Note thatthe processing described in Processing Example 1 is processing that usesinformation of the CTU located at the same position as the target CTU inthe CTU row immediately above the target CTU ((b) of FIG. 9).

In the present processing example, in the processing in the target CTU,the image coding apparatus 11 codes information indicating which of theprocessing that uses information of the CTU up to the position one CTUforward (M=1) relative to the same position as the target CTU in the CTUrow immediately above the target CTU and the processing in ProcessingExample 1 (M=0) is used to perform the processing, in the SPS, the PPS,or the slice header, and transmits the coded information to the imagedecoding apparatus 31. Further, the image decoding apparatus 31 decodesthe information indicating which of the processing using the informationof the CTU up to the position one CTU forward relative to the sameposition as the target CTU in the CTU row immediately above the targetCTU and the processing in Processing Example 1 is used to perform theprocessing, from the received coded data regarding the target CTU. Then,based on the information, the processing using the information of theCTU up to the position one CTU forward relative to the same position asthe target CTU in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU isperformed, or the processing in Processing Example 1 is performed.

The information may be a flag indicating which processing is used, ormay be information indicating an available position, such as values ofMp and Mc described above.

As described above, the image decoding apparatus 31 according to thepresent processing example is an image decoding apparatus 31 fordividing a picture into multiple CTU rows and decoding each of themultiple CTU rows sequentially from top. The image decoding apparatus 31includes the entropy decoding unit 301 that decodes informationindicating which of the information (state of CABAC) of the CTU up tothe position one CTU forward relative to the same position as the targetCTU in the CTU row (second CTU row) immediately above the target CTU orthe information (state of CABAC) of the CTU located at the same positionas the target CTU in the second CTU row is used to perform the decodingprocessing based on WPP in the first CTU (target CTU) in each CTU row.

Note that the delay amount M (Mp, Mc) is not limited to 0 and 1. Forexample, the delay amount M may be switched as follows: Mp=Mc=0, 1, 3,7. In other words, syntax for switching M or syntax representing M maybe included in coded data, and the coded data may be coded. In thismanner, Problem 3 that parallelism cannot be improved by reducing thedelay amount and that coding performance cannot be improved byincreasing the delay amount M can be solved.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, the prediction image generation unit 308changes the block scanning order in the CTU in a case that theprediction image generation unit 308 performs WPP. The blocks in the CTUare scanned in the raster scan order in HEVC. In the present embodimentas illustrated in FIG. 10, however, the blocks are scanned in thevertical direction. Specifically, for example, in a case that the CTU issplit into four blocks and the raster scan order is used, scanning isperformed in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lowerright; however, in the present embodiment, scanning is performed in theorder of upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right (in theorder starting from 0 to 3 in FIG. 10). In this manner, the order inwhich blocks that border the next CTU row are scanned (decoding order,coding order) can be started earlier than the raster scan order.

For example, in a case of Processing Example 3 of Embodiment 1 describedabove, delay of the intra prediction and the inter prediction can bereduced. In Processing Example 3 of Embodiment 1, the reference CTU tobe referred to in a case that the prediction image generation unit 308generates a prediction image by use of the intra prediction and theinter prediction is a region at a position 0.5 CTU forward relative tothe CTU located at the same position in the CTU row immediately abovethe target CTU. This is because, in the present embodiment, making achange in the scan order of blocks can start to process the regionearlier as compared to a case of normal raster scan.

In the present embodiment, in a case of WPP(entropy_coding_sync_enabled_flag=1), a flag (alt_cu_scan_order_flag)indicating whether or not the scan order is to be changed is included incoded data, and in a case that the flag is 1, the scan order is changed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a syntax example of block split according to HEVC.Further, FIG. 12 illustrates a syntax example of a case that block splitis performed according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.12, the present embodiment is different from HEVC in that, in a casethat alt_cu_scan_order_flag=1, the scan order is changed from the rasterscan order to scan order in the vertical direction (SYN1411 of FIG. 12).

Further, FIG. 13 illustrates a syntax example of binary tree split(binary_tree). The binary tree split is the same in the processingaccording to the present embodiment and the processing according toHEVC.

As described above, the image decoding apparatus 31 according to thepresent embodiment is an image decoding apparatus 31 for dividing apicture into multiple CTU rows and decoding each of the multiple CTUrows sequentially from top. In the image decoding apparatus 31, in acase that processing based on WPP is performed, order that proceeds inthe vertical direction from the upper left to the lower right is used asprocessing order in the CTU.

Third Embodiment

In the present embodiment, in the processing based on WPP described inEmbodiment 1, the entropy decoding unit 301 determines whether thedecoding processing is performed by using a state of CABAC of the CTU upto the position one CTU forward relative to the same position as thetarget CTU in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU (first CTU ofeach CTU row), or the decoding processing is performed by using a stateof CABAC of the CTU located at the same position as the target CTU inthe CTU row immediately above the target CTU, based on the width of theCTU. In this manner, Problem 2 can be solved.

As described above, in WPP, delay is further increased as the width ofthe CTU is further increased. In view of this, in the presentembodiment, which position is used for a state of CABAC of the CTU forinitialization of the target block is determined depending on whether ornot the width of the CTU is larger than a prescribed value (Th).

Specific description will be given with reference to FIG. 14. (a) ofFIG. 14 illustrates a case that a width Wd1 of the CTU is equal to orless than the prescribed width Th, and (b) of FIG. 14 illustrates a casethat a width Wd2 of the CTU is larger than the prescribed width Th. Asillustrated in (a) of FIG. 14, in a case that the width Wd1 of the CTUis equal to or less than the prescribed width Th (Wd1≤Th), the entropydecoding unit 301 performs the decoding processing by using a state ofCABAC of the CTU located at the position one CTU forward relative to thesame position as the target CTU in the CTU row immediately above thetarget CTU (first CTU of the CTU row). Further, as illustrated in (b) ofFIG. 14, in a case that the width Wd2 of the CTU is larger than theprescribed width Th (Wd2>Th), the entropy decoding unit 301 performs thedecoding processing by using a state of CABAC of the CTU located at thesame position as the target CTU in the CTU row immediately above thetarget CTU (first CTU of the CTU row).

Note that whether the decoding processing is performed by using a stateof CABAC of the CTU up to the position one CTU forward relative to thesame position as the target CTU in the CTU row immediately above thetarget CTU (first CTU of the CTU row) or the decoding processing isperformed by using a state of CABAC of the CTU located at the sameposition as the target CTU in the CTU row immediately above the targetCTU may be determined based on whether or not the CTU itself isvertically long instead of whether or not the width of the CTU is largerthan a prescribed value. This is because, in a case that the CTU isvertically long, it can be inferred that the width is small for the CTUsize, and in this case it can be considered that delay is small ascompared to other cases.

Specific description will be given with reference to FIG. 15. (a) ofFIG. 15 illustrates a case that the CTU is vertically long, and (b) ofFIG. 15 illustrates a case that the CTU is not vertically long. Asillustrated in (a) of FIG. 15, in a case that a width Wd3 of the CTU issmaller than a height Hd3 (Wd3<Hd3), the entropy decoding unit 301performs the decoding processing by using a state of CABAC of the CTUlocated at the position one CTU forward relative to the same position asthe target CTU in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU (firstCTU). Further, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 15, in a case that a widthWd4 of the CTU is equal to or larger than a height Hd4 (Wd4≥Hd4), theentropy decoding unit 301 performs the decoding processing by using astate of CABAC of the CTU located at the same position as the target CTUin the CTU row immediately above the target CTU (first CTU).

As described above, the image decoding apparatus 31 according to thepresent embodiment is an image decoding apparatus 31 for dividing apicture into multiple CTU rows and decoding each of the multiple CTUrows sequentially from top. The image decoding apparatus 31 includes theentropy decoding unit 301 that determines whether decoding processing ina target CTU is performed by using information of a CTU located at aposition one CTU forward relative to the same position as the target CTUin the CTU row immediately above the CTU row including the target CTU oris performed by using information of a CTU located at the same positionas the target CTU in the CTU row immediately above the CTU row includingthe target CTU, based on the size of the CTU.

Fourth Embodiment

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16, in the processingbased on WPP described above, in a case that CABAC is initialized in thefirst CTU of the CTU row, the entropy decoding unit 301 may initializethe target CTU by referring to a state of CABAC in the last CTU in theCTU row located at the same position in a picture (picture P) that isdecoded earlier than the target picture (picture Q). In this manner,even in a case that the processing based on WPP is performed,initialization can be performed by using a state of CABAC in a decodedpicture. Note that it is only necessary that the decoded picture bedecoded earlier than the target picture, and the decoded picture neednot be a picture that precedes the target picture in display order.

Further, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 17, in theprocessing based on WPP described above, the entropy decoding unit 301performs initialization of CABAC by switching a state of CABAC in thelast CTU in the same CTU row as the decoded picture (picture P) of thetarget picture (picture Q) and a state of CABAC in the second CTU fromthe start of the CTU row immediately above the target CTU in the targetpicture, and starts the decoding processing. In this manner, even in acase that the processing based on WPP is performed, initialization canbe performed by switching a state of CABAC in a decoded picture and astate of CABAC in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU in thetarget picture. Note that it is only necessary that the decoded picturebe decoded earlier than the target picture, and the decoded picture neednot be a picture that precedes the target picture in display order.

Further, in the present embodiment, in a case that the prediction imagegeneration unit 308 generates a prediction image by use of the intraprediction and the inter prediction, the prediction image generationunit 308 performs the intra prediction and the inter prediction by usingpixel values and prediction parameters up to the CTU located at theposition one CTU forward relative to the same position as the target CTUin the CTU row immediately above the target CTU (first CTU of the CTUrow). For example, prediction processing may be performed by setting Mto any one of 0, 0.5, and 1 with the use of the method of Processing 1to Processing 3.

As described above, the image decoding apparatus 31 according to thepresent embodiment is an image decoding apparatus 31 for dividing apicture into multiple CTU rows and decoding each of the multiple CTUrows sequentially from top. In a case of generating a prediction imageby use of the intra prediction and the inter prediction, the imagedecoding apparatus 31 includes the prediction image generation unit 308that generates the prediction image to be used for decoding of a targetCTU by using pixels up to a position one CTU forward relative to thesame position as the target CTU in the CTU row (second CTU row)immediately above the CTU row (first CTU row) including the target CTU,and the entropy decoding unit 301 that performs initialization of CABACof a first CTU of the first CTU row by using a state of CABAC in apicture decoded earlier than the target picture including the target CTUor the entropy decoding unit 301 that performs initialization of CABACof a first CTU of the CTU row by switching a state of CABAC in thepicture decoded earlier than the target picture including the target CTUand a state of CABAC of the CTU located at the same position as thetarget CTU in the CTU row immediately above the CTU row including thetarget CTU.

Fifth Embodiment

In the present embodiment, whether initialization is performed by usinga state of CABAC of a decoded picture, which has been described in theabove-described fourth embodiment, or a state of CABAC of a CTU locatedat the same position in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU orlocated at a position one CTU forward relative to the same position isselected.

Specifically, a flag wpp_cabac_init_prev_pic_flag indicating whetherinitialization is to be performed by using a state of CABAC of a decodedpicture is performed, or a state of CABAC of the CTU located at the sameposition in the CTU row immediately above the target CTU or located at aposition one CTU forward relative to the same position is used isincluded in coded data such as the SPS, the PPS, and the slice header.And the entropy decoding unit 301 performs initialization of CABAC byusing a state specified by the flag. For example, in a case thatwpp_cabac_init_prev_pic_flag=0, initialization is performed by using astate of CABAC in the CTU row immediately above the CTU row includingthe target CTU in the target picture, and in a case thatwpp_cabac_init_prev_pic_flag=1, initialization is performed by using astate of CABAC of a previously decoding picture.

As described above, the image decoding apparatus 31 according to thepresent embodiment is an image decoding apparatus for dividing a pictureinto multiple CTU rows and decoding each of the multiple CTU rowssequentially from top. The image decoding apparatus 31 includes theentropy decoding unit 301 that decodes information indicating whetherinitialization of CABAC in the CTU row is to be performed by using astate of CABAC of a picture decoded earlier than a target pictureincluding a target CTU or be performed by using a state of CABAC of theCTU in the CTU row immediately above the CTU row including the targetCTU.

Application Examples

The above-mentioned image coding apparatus 11 and the image decodingapparatus 31 can be utilized being installed to various apparatusesperforming transmission, reception, recording, and regeneration ofvideos. Note that, the video may be a natural video imaged by camera orthe like, or may be an artificial video (including CG and GUI) generatedby computer or the like.

First, referring to FIG. 18, it will be described that theabove-mentioned image coding apparatus 11 and the image decodingapparatus 31 can be utilized for transmission and reception of videos.

(a) of FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of atransmitting apparatus PROD_A installed with the image coding apparatus11. As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 18, the transmitting apparatus PROD_Aincludes a coder PROD_A1 which obtains coded data by coding videos, amodulation unit PROD_A2 which obtains modulation signals by modulatingcarrier waves with the coded data obtained by the coder PROD_A1, and atransmitter PROD_A3 which transmits the modulation signals obtained bythe modulation unit PROD_A2. The above-mentioned image coding apparatus11 is utilized as the coder PROD_A1.

The transmitting apparatus PROD_A may further include a camera PROD_A4that images videos, a recording medium PROD_A5 that records videos, aninput terminal PROD_A6 for inputting videos from the outside, and animage processing unit A7 which generates or processes images, as supplysources of videos to be input into the coder PROD_A1. Although anexample configuration in which the transmitting apparatus PROD_Aincludes all of the constituents is illustrated in (a) of FIG. 18, someof the constituents may be omitted.

Note that the recording medium PROD_A5 may record videos which are notcoded or may record videos coded in a coding scheme for recordingdifferent from a coding scheme for transmission. In the latter case, adecoder (not illustrated) to decode coded data read from the recordingmedium PROD_A5 according to the coding scheme for recording may bepresent between the recording medium PROD_A5 and the coder PROD_A1.

(b) of FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of areceiving apparatus PROD_B installed with the image decoding apparatus31. As illustrated in (b) of FIG. 18, the receiving apparatus PROD_Bincludes a receiver PROD_B1 that receives modulation signals, ademodulation unit PROD_B2 that obtains coded data by demodulating themodulation signals received by the receiver PROD_B1, and a decoderPROD_B3 that obtains videos by decoding the coded data obtained by thedemodulation unit PROD_B2. The above-mentioned image decoding apparatus31 is utilized as the decoding unit PROD_B3.

The receiving apparatus PROD_B may further include a display PROD_B4that displays videos, a recording medium PROD_B5 for recording thevideos, and an output terminal PROD_B6 for outputting the videos to theoutside, as supply destinations of the videos to be output by thedecoder PROD_B3. Although an example configuration that the receivingapparatus PROD_B includes all of the constituents is illustrated in (b)of FIG. 18, some of the constituents may be omitted.

Note that the recording medium PROD_B5 may record videos which are notcoded, or may record videos which are coded in a coding scheme forrecording different from a coding scheme for transmission. In the lattercase, a coder (not illustrated) that codes videos acquired from thedecoder PROD_B3 according to the coding scheme for recording may bepresent between the decoder PROD_B3 and the recording medium PROD_B5.

Note that a transmission medium for transmitting the modulation signalsmay be a wireless medium or may be a wired medium. In addition, atransmission mode in which the modulation signals are transmitted may bea broadcast (here, which indicates a transmission mode in which atransmission destination is not specified in advance) or may be acommunication (here, which indicates a transmission mode in which atransmission destination is specified in advance). That is, thetransmission of the modulation signals may be realized by any of awireless broadcast, a wired broadcast, a wireless communication, and awired communication.

For example, a broadcasting station (e.g., broadcastingequipment)/receiving station (e.g., television receiver) for digitalterrestrial broadcasting is an example of the transmitting apparatusPROD_A/receiving apparatus PROD_B for transmitting and/or receiving themodulation signals in the wireless broadcast. In addition, abroadcasting station (e.g., broadcasting equipment)/receiving station(e.g., television receivers) for cable television broadcasting is anexample of the transmitting apparatus PROD_A/receiving apparatus PROD_Bfor transmitting and/or receiving the modulation signals in the wiredbroadcast.

In addition, a server (e.g., workstation)/client (e.g., televisionreceiver, personal computer, smartphone) for Video On Demand (VOD)services, video hosting services and the like using the Internet is anexample of the transmitting apparatus PROD_A/receiving apparatus PROD_Bfor transmitting and/or receiving the modulation signals incommunication (usually, any of a wireless medium or a wired medium isused as a transmission medium in LAN, and the wired medium is used as atransmission medium in WAN). Here, personal computers include a desktopPC, a laptop PC, and a tablet PC. In addition, smartphones also includea multifunctional mobile telephone terminal.

A client of a video hosting service has a function of coding a videoimaged with a camera and uploading the video to a server, in addition toa function of decoding coded data downloaded from a server anddisplaying on a display. Thus, the client of the video hosting servicefunctions as both the transmitting apparatus PROD_A and the receivingapparatus PROD_B.

Next, referring to FIG. 19, it will be described that theabove-mentioned image coding apparatus 11 and the image decodingapparatus 31 can be utilized for recording and regeneration of videos.

(a) of FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of arecording apparatus PROD_C installed with the above-mentioned imagecoding apparatus 11. As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 19, the recordingapparatus PROD_C includes a coder PROD_C1 that obtains coded data bycoding a video, and a writing unit PROD_C2 that writes the coded dataobtained by the coder PROD_C1 in a recording medium PROD_M. Theabove-mentioned image coding apparatus 11 is utilized as the coderPROD_C1.

Note that the recording medium PROD_M may be (1) a type of recordingmedium built in the recording apparatus PROD_C such as Hard Disk Drive(HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD), may be (2) a type of recording mediumconnected to the recording apparatus PROD_C such as an SD memory card ora Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash memory, and may be (3) a type ofrecording medium loaded in a drive apparatus (not illustrated) built inthe recording apparatus PROD_C such as Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) orBlu-ray Disc (BD: trade name).

In addition, the recording apparatus PROD_C may further include a cameraPROD_C3 that images a video, an input terminal PROD_C4 for inputting thevideo from the outside, a receiver PROD_C5 for receiving the video, andan image processing unit PROD_C6 that generates or processes images, assupply sources of the video input into the coder PROD_C1. Although anexample configuration that the recording apparatus PROD_C includes allof the constituents is illustrated in (a) of FIG. 19, some of theconstituents may be omitted.

Note that the receiver PROD_C5 may receive a video which is not coded,or may receive coded data coded in a coding scheme for transmissiondifferent from the coding scheme for recording. In the latter case, adecoder for transmission (not illustrated) that decodes coded data codedin the coding scheme for transmission may be present between thereceiver PROD_C5 and the coder PROD_C1.

Examples of such recording apparatus PROD_C include, for example, a DVDrecorder, a BD recorder, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) recorder, and the like(in this case, the input terminal PROD_C4 or the receiver PROD_C5 is themain supply source of videos). In addition, a camcorder (in this case,the camera PROD_C3 is the main supply source of videos), a personalcomputer (in this case, the receiver PROD_C5 or the image processingunit C6 is the main supply source of videos), a smartphone (in thiscase, the camera PROD_C3 or the receiver PROD_C5 is the main supplysource of videos), or the like is an example of the recording apparatusPROD_C as well.

(b) of FIG. 19 is a block illustrating a configuration of areconstruction apparatus PROD_D installed with the above-mentioned imagedecoding apparatus 31. As illustrated in (b) of FIG. 19, thereconstruction apparatus PROD_D includes a reading unit PROD_D1 whichreads coded data written in the recording medium PROD_M, and a decoderPROD_D2 which obtains a video by decoding the coded data read by thereader PROD_D1. The above-mentioned image decoding apparatus 31 isutilized as the decoding unit PROD_D2.

Note that the recording medium PROD_M may be (1) a type of recordingmedium built in the reconstruction apparatus PROD_D such as HDD or SSD,may be (2) a type of recording medium connected to the reconstructionapparatus PROD_D such as an SD memory card or a USB flash memory, andmay be (3) a type of recording medium loaded in a drive apparatus (notillustrated) built in the reconstruction apparatus PROD_D such as a DVDor a BD.

In addition, the reconstruction apparatus PROD_D may further include adisplay PROD_D3 that displays a video, an output terminal PROD_D4 foroutputting the video to the outside, and a transmitter PROD_D5 thattransmits the video, as the supply destinations of the video to beoutput by the decoder PROD_D2. Although an example configuration thatthe reconstruction apparatus PROD_D includes all of the constituents isillustrated in (b) of FIG. 19, some of the constituents may be omitted.

Note that the transmitter PROD_D5 may transmit a video which is notcoded or may transmit coded data coded in the coding scheme fortransmission different from a coding scheme for recording. In the lattercase, a coder (not illustrated) that codes a video in the coding schemefor transmission may be present between the decoder PROD_D2 and thetransmitter PROD_D5.

Examples of the reconstruction apparatus PROD_D include, for example, aDVD player, a BD player, an HDD player, and the like (in this case, theoutput terminal PROD_D4 to which a television receiver, and the like areconnected is the main supply destination of videos). In addition, atelevision receiver (in this case, the display PROD_D3 is the mainsupply destination of videos), a digital signage (also referred to as anelectronic signboard or an electronic bulletin board, and the like, andthe display PROD_D3 or the transmitter PROD_D5 is the main supplydestination of videos), a desktop PC (in this case, the output terminalPROD_D4 or the transmitter PROD_D5 is the main supply destination ofvideos), a laptop or tablet PC (in this case, the display PROD_D3 or thetransmitter PROD_D5 is the main supply destination of videos), asmartphone (in this case, the display PROD_D3 or the transmitter PROD_D5is the main supply destination of videos), or the like is an example ofthe reconstruction apparatus PROD_D.

Realization by Hardware and Realization by Software

Each block of the above-mentioned image decoding apparatus 31 and theimage coding apparatus 11 may be realized as a hardware by a logicalcircuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip), or may be realized asa software using a Central Processing Unit (CPU).

In the latter case, each apparatus includes a CPU performing a commandof a program to implement each function, a Read Only Memory (ROM) storedin the program, a Random Access Memory (RAM) developing the program, anda storage apparatus (recording medium) such as a memory storing theprogram and various data, and the like. In addition, an objective of theembodiments of the present disclosure can be achieved by supplying, toeach of the apparatuses, the recording medium that records, in acomputer readable form, program codes of a control program (executableprogram, intermediate code program, source program) of each of theapparatuses that is software for realizing the above-described functionsand by reading and executing, by the computer (or a CPU or a MPU), theprogram codes recorded in the recording medium.

As the recording medium, for example, tapes including a magnetic tape, acassette tape and the like, discs including a magnetic disc such as afloppy (trade name) disk/a hard disk and an optical disc such as aCompact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)/Magneto-Optical disc (MOdisc)/Mini Disc (MD)/Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)/CD Recordable(CD-R)/Blu-ray Disc (trade name), cards such as an IC card (including amemory card)/an optical card, semiconductor memories such as a maskROM/Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM)/Electrically Erasableand Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM: trade name)/a flash ROM,logical circuits such as a Programmable logic device (PLD) and a FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA), or the like can be used.

In addition, each of the apparatuses is configured to be connectable toa communication network, and the program codes may be supplied throughthe communication network. The communication network is required to becapable of transmitting the program codes, but is not limited to aparticular communication network. For example, the Internet, anintranet, an extranet, a Local Area Network (LAN), an IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN), a Value-Added Network (VAN), aCommunity Antenna television/Cable Television (CATV) communicationnetwork, a Virtual Private Network, a telephone network, a mobilecommunication network, a satellite communication network, and the likeare available. In addition, a transmission medium constituting thiscommunication network is also required to be a medium which can transmita program code, but is not limited to a particular configuration or typeof transmission medium. For example, a wired transmission medium such asInstitute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1394, a USB, apower line carrier, a cable TV line, a telephone line, an AsymmetricDigital Subscriber Line (ADSL) line, and a wireless transmission mediumsuch as infrared ray of Infrared Data Association (IrDA) or a remotecontrol, BlueTooth (trade name), IEEE 802.11 wireless communication,High Data Rate (HDR), Near Field Communication (NFC), Digital LivingNetwork Alliance (DLNA: trade name), a cellular telephone network, asatellite channel, a terrestrial digital broadcast network areavailable. Note that the embodiments of the present disclosure can bealso realized in the form of computer data signals embedded in a carriersuch that the transmission of the program codes is embodied inelectronic transmission.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to theabove-described embodiments, and various modifications are possiblewithin the scope of the claims. That is, an embodiment obtained bycombining technical means modified appropriately within the scopedefined by claims is included in the technical scope of the presentdisclosure as well.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to JP 2018-106506 filedon Jun. 1, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   11 Image coding apparatus-   31 Image decoding apparatus-   101, 308 Prediction image generation unit-   104 Entropy encoder (coder)-   301 Entropy decoding unit (decoder)

1: An image decoding apparatus for dividing a picture into multiple CTUrows and decoding each of the multiple CTU rows sequentially from top,the image decoding apparatus comprising: a prediction image generationunit configured to generate, in a case of generating a prediction image,a prediction image of a target CTU by using decoded data of CTUs from afirst position to a second position, the first position being, in a CTUrow (second CTU row) immediately above a first CTU row including thetarget CTU, identical to a position of the target CTU, the secondposition being a position a prescribed fixed number of CTUs forwardrelative to the first position; and a decoder configured to decode thetarget CTU by using information of the CTUs from the first position tothe second position, the first position being, in the second CTU row,identical to the position of the target CTU, the second position beingthe position the prescribed fixed number of the CTUs forward relative tothe first position. 2: An image coding apparatus for dividing a pictureinto multiple CTU rows and coding each of the multiple CTU rowssequentially from top, the image coding apparatus comprising: aprediction image generation unit configured to generate, in a case ofgenerating a prediction image, a prediction image of a target CTU byusing data from a first position to a second position, the firstposition being, in a CTU row (second CTU row) immediately above a firstCTU row including the target CTU, identical to a position of the targetCTU, the second position being a position a prescribed fixed number ofCTUs forward relative to the first position; and a coder configured tocode the target CTU by using the data from the first position to thesecond position, the first position being, in the second CTU row,identical to the position of the target CTU, the second position beingthe position the prescribed fixed number of CTUs forward relative to thefirst position. 3: The image decoding apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the prescribed fixed number is an integer multiple of a width ofthe CTU. 4: The image decoding apparatus according to claim 1, whereinin a case of generating an intra prediction image, the prediction imagegeneration unit generates the prediction image to be used for decodingof the target CTU by using the decoded data up to the first positionbeing, in the second CTU row, identical to the position of the targetCTU, and the decoder decodes the target CTU by using information of theCTUs up to the first position being, in the second CTU row, identical tothe position of the target CTU.